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Wednesday, April 16, 2014

POPLARVILLE - A group of technicians from the Naval Oceanograhpic Office at Stennis Space Center spent several days recently at Pearl River Community College. The men were enrolled in a 40-hour course in the PRCC heating and air conditioning program through the college’s Workforce Development division. “They’re learning how to install mini-splits and refrigerant circuits,” instructor Eric McCoy said. Mini-splits are compact air conditioners used on ships, he said. “These go on 20-foot containers for offshore use,” NAVO electrical technician Corey Smith said. “They keep our seagoing containers cool while we’re at sea.” The block schedule utilized in many of PRCC’s career-technical education programs allows the college to offer training when students are between block classes. McCoy has been teaching classes for NAVO for three years. “I like to use this asset for on-the-job training,” Smith said. “Eric is one of the best instructors we can find.” Several of the NAVO students have completed instrumentation and hydraulics block classes in the past and one, Mark Guchereau of Picayune, is a graduate of the PRCC electrical technology program. For infomation about PRCC Workforce Development, telephone 601 403-1241.

PRCC heating and air conditioning instructor Eric McCoy, center, shows NAVO electrical technicians Mark Guchereau of Picayune, left, and Chauncey Philan of Pass Christian how to make a fitting for a compact air conditioning unit. Looking on is Corey Smith of NAVO.PRCC Public Relations photo—

POPLARVILLE - Wrought iron markers made by Pearl River Community College welding students will tell some of the history of Poplarville. Zachary Schoenauer of Picayune and Zachary Bishop of Kiln made the markers for the Poplarville Historical Preservation Society’s driving tour. “I like that they’re going to be in and around town for the future,” Schoenauer said. “We can come back and see that it’s had an impact on the community.” The decorative curls on each marker were made by hand. “They turned out to be more than just signs,” Bishop said. “They turned out to be works of art.” Owners of historical homes will purchase the markers, which will be painted with the the home’s name, the year it was built and the name(s) of the current owners, society president Joan Bassett said. “We are organizing a driving tour of historical homes in Poplarville,” she said “We need to let people know what we have here.” Thirteen homes are on the tour so far, and she and other members are working on a tour brochure. The society, which has 40 members, also is putting the finishing touches on a museum in the rear of the Poplarville Chamber of Commerce office. “We’re hoping to open our little museum Memorial Day weekend,” she said. For more information on the society and its projects, telephone Bassett at 601 795-8736.

Zachary Bishop of Kiln, left, and Zachary Schoenauer of Picayune stand outside the Pearl River Community College welding shop with two of the markers they made for the Poplarville Historical Preservation Society.